We see shows every time we go to London and soon hope to see the 25th anniversary of Les Miserables in October, which also goes nicely with our recent summer extended travel to France and Paris which included homeschooling about the French Revolution and Victor Hugo.

Go early and bring a picnic like the locals do and sit on the cheap high seats. We did not even book ahead and we were there in the height of high season. Even kids who might not like an opera at home will love the people-watching and almost ballgame-like atmosphere before the show begins and at intermission where they sell ice cream and such with vendors working the crowds. They also have a tradition before each opera starts where candles are passed and the whole coliseum lights up with candles which kids love and it is an awesome sight to behold. We saw two operas, while there, Carmen and Aida, and all of us wish we could have seen more. Both were outstanding and Carmen was directed by Placido Domingo ( I happened to go to his 50th birthday party long ago through a friend, so have met him) and it was designed by one of our favorites, Franco Zeffirelli.Go!

We were in Italy last August/September and one of the highlights for me was going to see 'Carmen' at the amphitheatre in Verona. Would love to go back...but it will be a while as we are now back in New Zealand!

Amanda - Wow, we were there at the same time! We were there in early August after Cinque Terre and before Austria.

It really was spectacular! We returned to Verona just to see the opera because we missed it the first time. Worth it!

I hear ya about the NZ distance, we will be there in Nov briefly on our way to Penang for the winter ( in Auckland for a night after Tahiti) ....not looking forward to those long and expensive flights.

Lisa- It is REALLY fantastic for kids & a great way to introduce them to opera. Pretty fun to sit on the same seats that the Romans did & fun spying at the posh folks in the evening where in the close seats too. ;) The programs give the story, so it is easy to follow, even if you do not know the opera or language.

Amanda - Thanks so much! Not this time, but we will be back for a longer stay at one point. Hope you are OK after the earthquake. I lived through a 7.2 earthquake and know how bad that can be, including all the aftershocks.

Healing vibes to you & all there. It took us in Santa Cruz over 10 years to rebuild and probably me that long to recover as I was in a very bad place when it hit.

I hear earthquakes are one of the hardest natural disasters to heal from because the aftershocks keep one on edge for a long time.

That stage is amazing! I've been reading your adventures and it looks so fantastic.

Thank you for encouraging travel with a young child. I absolutely believe that it's a kind of education that can't be learned in school. My parents also travelled with me throughout the world, and I'm eternal grateful for it.

Mary - It was awesome in person..he is a genius. Thanks for your comment, I read it to Mozart.

I LOVE getting comments from people like you who are now grown and say how much they got out of traveling as a family. I know it was very important in my life as well & why I do it.

Mozart has always just thought of it as normal life, but now she is really starting to get just how lucky she is.

It took a lot of effort and sacrifice to create this life of travel, but it has been more than worth the effort & I hope will last for generations of benefits ...if Mozart also passes along this love of travel, languages, music, education , adventure etc.

Thanks for your kind thoughts. 2 weeks after the quake and we are still getting quite strong after shocks. We are starting to suffer from lack of sleep, but are very thankful to God that there was no loss of life. Our house also escaped pretty much undamaged, and after a week off school the kids have now had a week back and are starting to get back into some routine. We are all very sick of the after shocks though!

Thanks for your kind thoughts. 2 weeks after the quake and we are still getting quite strong after shocks. We are starting to suffer from lack of sleep, but are very thankful to God that there was no loss of life. Our house also escaped pretty much undamaged, and after a week off school the kids have now had a week back and are starting to get back into some routine. We are all very sick of the after shocks though!

Wow, great way to enjoy at best your travels, and Italy is a great place to soak up in culture! I'm glad they organise family-friendly operas, such pieces of art should be easily available to anyone.
I've been to the Globe Theatre in London to see "Romeo and Juliet," a really great experience.